26/11 attacks trial deferred

Islamabad (Agencies): A Pakistani anti-terror court has postponed the trial of seven suspects, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, in the Mumbai terror attack case till February 26 after prosecutors sought more time for the Lahore High Court to decide a related petition.

The prosecution team told anti-terrorism court Judge Rana Nisar Ahmed during a hearing on Thursday that more time is required for the High Court to decide on its plea to declare lone surviving Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab and terror suspect Fahim Ansari as "proclaimed offenders" or fugitives.

The prosecutors told the judge they were optimistic that the petition would be listed by the High Court for hearing next week, said sources.

The judge then adjourned the proceedings in the anti-terrorism court till February 26, the sources stated.

Pakistani national Kasab was sentenced to death by a court in Mumbai for his involvement in the attacks on India's financial hub that killed 166 people in November 2008.

Ansari, an Indian national, was acquitted by the same court but continues to be in custody regarding other cases.

The FIA's petition directs the High Court to declare Kasab and Ansari as proclaimed offenders, to issue non-bailable warrants for them and to de-link their trial from that of the seven Pakistani suspects.